2013 dodge durango Reviews and News

Welcome to Automobile Magazine's Family Crossover Comparo, our comparison test of the kind of vehicle that you see during America's summer vacation, the three-row family crossover.

As we noted in our Day One introduction, we've gathered eight of the best all-wheel-drive, seven-passenger family crossovers, and we're going to sort them out. We've driven all of them at the same time on the same roads, and we've made our notes and organized our facts and then argued about the results.

The way we see it, these are the best family crossovers available in America right now. We've done our best to ensure that our test vehicles represent a useful level of features -- nicely equipped, as they say -- yet don't cost too much. Given the practical realities of acquiring so many test vehicles at the same time, they aren't all priced exactly the same, but we've done our best.

To make our comparisons as direct as we can, we've organized a different kind of scheme, matching the vehicles in brackets just as is done in an athletic tournament. The losers will be knocked out one by one until the winner presents itself.

Today, we present an accounting of four vehicles, with two head-to-head match-ups. Tomorrow, we do the same, matching the remaining vehicles and reducing the field to four. The winning vehicles from today and tomorrow will then go head-to-head in a Final Four comparison on Thursday, and we will declare the winner on Friday.

We start the tournament with these randomly selected match-ups:

2013 Dodge Durango vs. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

2013 Ford Explorer vs. 2013 Honda Pilot

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. 2013 Dodge Durango

2013 Dodge Durango Citadel AWD

The 2013 Dodge Durango has a lot going for it. It's got masculine good looks, plenty of cargo space, a sleek, luxurious cabin, and a pedigree that puts comparisons to that other three-row family hauler -- the minivan -- completely out of mind. As soon as we saw it, the Durango had us interested. Associate web editor Donny Nordlicht calls it the best-looking vehicle of the group. West Coast editor Michael Jordan observes that the Durango's upright stance and toothy, truck-style grille make it look like "the crossover for guys."

Praise for the Durango's looks kept on coming. Road test editor Christopher Nelson notes, "Everything is pumped up a bit. It's the most luxurious crossover here." It had better be, since our seven-passenger Durango's price of $46,925 is the heftiest of the day. Leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats come standard, ensuring year-round comfort. An optional rear entertainment system will keep kids occupied during long drives, and standard navigation will make sure the drive doesn't last longer than it should.

The Power of a Truck
The Durango's 3.6-liter V-6 engine delivers 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is right in line with the competition. It manages 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, about middle of the pack for our test group. The 2013 Durango also distinguishes itself with its 6200-pound tow rating, putting the Santa Fe's 5000-pound rating to shame.

"Can we take into account that the Durango gets a new transmission for 2014?" asks Nordlicht. The gallery responds with a resounding, "No." This pretty much settles it. With its dated five-speed automatic, the Durango is painfully slow to accelerate, giving you plenty of time to ponder each of the car's 5097 pounds as you inch away from the stoplights.

Think Big
The Durango feels every bit as big as it is, and you'd be forgiven for thinking it's a pickup truck under the skin if you were to drive it blindfolded (not recommended). Jordan assigns the Durango to heavy-lifting duty as far as this group of crossovers is concerned: "This is the right vehicle to drive to Home Depot, but around town? It's too heavy." It's hard to imagine the Durango making the school pick-up and soccer drop-off rounds, even if there is a Mercedes-derived unit body under the truck styling.

Christopher Nelson distills our complaints about the 2013 Dodge Durango into a single thought: "The Durango is a really good SUV, but I'm not sure if it's a great seven-passenger crossover." As impressed as we are by the Durango's looks and brute strength, it tries too hard to be something it isn't. - Annie White

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD is the wild card in this comparison. It's the least expensive of our eight entrants and sells in the smallest numbers. Fresh off a redesign and rebadging, the seven-passenger 2013 Santa Fe (formerly the Veracruz) shares its looks and its new name with the shorter, five-passenger 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. With a spindly five-bar grille and a sporty exterior, the full-length Santa Fe shuns the clumsy, boxy look that marks so many of its competitors. It aims to be more than the sum of its parts, and it often is.

Stepping into the Santa Fe makes you immediately rethink what a three-row crossover can be. "Interiors don't have to be grim and utilitarian and depressing just because you're in a crossover," gushes deputy editor Joe DeMatio. Associate web editor Donny Nordlicht says the cabin of the Santa Fe is "one of the best interiors on the market under fifty thousand dollars." Comparisons are even drawn to the Audi TT. And, OMG, the panoramic sunroof. Santa Fe, you had us at hello.

Crossing the Country
Taking the 2013 Santa Fe on the road did little to sour our affair. The 3.3-liter V-6 engine makes 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque, putting the Santa Fe right in the peloton for three-row crossovers. Nothing special, but not lagging behind, either. The Santa Fe won't peel your eyelids back on acceleration, but we are favorably impressed with the action of this crossover's six-speed automatic transmission. Nordlicht is among the impressed, saying, "It will hold the gears and postpone the shifts if you want it to, like it understands what you're doing."

Need more good news? The Santa Fe's EPA rating of 18 mpg in the city is bested by only one crossover in our test, the Nissan Pathfinder. Meanwhile, the Hyundai's rating of 24 mpg highway is also among the best of this group.

Riding the Tilt-a-Whirl
So what's the fly in the ointment? Step into the third row for a spin around the block and you'll feel like you're on a bad amusement park ride. Knees in nose, seat bouncing, road noise for days. Sure, the third row is meant only for kids, but even they will be holding epic roshambo tournaments for a chance to get a seat upgrade into one of the comfortable captain's chairs in the Santa Fe's second row (standard in the Limited trim level; a second-row bench is available in the GLS trim).

In addition, the calibration of the rear suspension seems too soft, and the setup will bottom with a clunk even with light loads. In addition, while the slow steering is meant to keep you from getting into trouble when the whole family is on board, it is still too unresponsive to us. Such things keep the seven-passenger Santa Fe from being truly transcendent.

Even so, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has us unexpectedly infatuated. "This is the surprise of the day," proclaims road test editor Christopher Nelson to general nodding among our group of test drivers. We can imagine the all-wheel-drive Santa Fe ferrying two adult couples to dinner on the town as easily as carting a family on a cross-country road trip. With the Santa Fe, Hyundai has figured out how to make an attractive, desirable three-row crossover for less than $40,000 -- quite an accomplishment. - Annie White

Winner: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

2013 Ford Explorer Limited AWD vs. 2013 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD

2013 Ford Explorer Limited AWD

The 2013 Ford Explorer Limited AWD has a nameplate that has dominated the utility vehicle market for more than two decades. It is also the best selling of all the eight crossovers here, and more than 160,000 buyers per year can't be wrong, can they? Well, yes and no.

Buyers will appreciate the 2013 Explorer's 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6, which ties with the 2013 Dodge Durango and the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe as the most powerful engines in the group. That horsepower doesn't go to waste, either. Ford's six-speed automatic is smooth and unobtrusive and the steering is direct and well weighted, both of which give the driver confidence despite this seven-passenger, all-wheel-drive vehicle's curb weight of roughly 4600 pounds.

Power and Technology
Power isn't found just under the hood, as the seven-passenger, all-wheel-drive Ford Explorer is the only crossover in our test to offer a power-folding third row. In fact, the 2013 Explorer Limited that we tested is so replete with technology and convenience features that its price of $45,415 is the second highest in this group.

All of those extras are features that everyone likes, such as power-folding mirrors, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power tilt-and-telescope steering column, power-adjustable pedals, automatic wipers, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, automatic high beams, and active parking assist.

There's one piece of technology on display here, though, that doesn't meet our expectations. The MyFord Touch infotainment system might be designed to appeal to tech enthusiasts, but it proves counterintuitive to operate, yields inconsistent results, and requires the driver to look away from the road too often. JeanKnowsCars.com senior editor Molly Jean says it's "a kid's toy," not an adult-rated communication interface. One of the editors was even overheard cursing the system over our two-way communication radios when he tried to use MyFord Touch to change the music track it was playing on his iPod.

Does This Make Me Look Big?
The Explorer's high beltline makes this vehicle feel big, more like a truck than a crossover. Almost everyone says the view from the driver's seat compromises driver confidence. "It's like sitting at the bottom of a black bathtub," one editor says. Nevertheless, JeanKnowsCars.com senior editor Molly Jean insists the visibility is good, and she's hardly the tallest of our drivers.

Despite the new-generation Explorer's crossover platform, it seems less than spacious to us. "It's amazing how big the Ford looks on the outside versus how small it feels inside," says associate editor David Zenlea. Underpinning the 2013 Ford Explorer is an evolution of Volvo's P2 platform, which was developed for the 1998 Volvo S80 sedan. Versions of it can be found under the Ford Flex and the Lincoln MKT, among other Ford vehicles. But the process of engineering this platform for the Explorer resulted in thick roof pillars, an obstructively wide center tunnel, and high, wide door sills that make entry and egress cumbersome for both front- and rear-seat passengers.

The seven-passenger, all-wheel-drive 2013 Ford Explorer has a number of redeeming qualities, yet it feels outdated and trucklike in this group of crossovers, even though its redesign dates only to 2011. That's because, no matter how much new-fangled technology and horsepower Ford has added to this platform, the deficient packaging and limited outward visibility keep this crossover from being one in which we'd tote our brood. - Donny Nordlicht

2013 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD

Let's get this out of the way: the 2013 Honda Pilot is old. The second-generation Pilot that we're driving today debuted back in 2009, and although it received an update last year, this remains much the same Honda Odyssey-based utility package that first came our way in 2003. In fact, a significantly revised Honda Pilot is expected to be revealed within the next eighteen months. With this in mind, we slipped behind the wheel of the seven-passenger, all-wheel-drive 2013 Honda Pilot Touring AWD.

The 2013 Pilot's boxy shape has more personality than the anonymous family-style look it replaced, but this rough-and-tumble link to truck-based SUVs has not aged well. Deputy editor Joe DeMatio remarks, "It looks like the box it came in." Motor gopher Tom Foley also says that the angular interior looks meant for quick cleanup after a spell of barfing by your toddler, since there's barely a hint of the soft-touch materials found in the other crossovers in this group.

Fuel Economy, not Power
The powertrain also feels behind the times compared to most of our octet. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine provides reasonable grunt with 250 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque, but the antiquated five-speed automatic transmission shifts slowly and clumsily as it continually shuffles the gears to keep the V-6 on the boil as it lugs around 4608 pounds. The steering is slow yet surprisingly direct, and the ride is soft.

It's not all bad news with the 2013 Honda Pilot, however. Let's remember that it wears the "H" badge on its grille, and Honda has built a reputation for reliable, efficient, and inexpensive-to-own vehicles, which is the kind of thing that can make or break a purchase for lots of shoppers. The Honda Pilot also trumps the Ford Explorer by achieving 1 mpg more on the highway and combined cycles (17/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined versus 17/23/19).

Numerology
Number crunching also reveals that the Honda's boxy shape pays dividends with respect to cargo capacity. While there are three cubic feet less than the Ford Explorer when all three rows are in use, the Pilot gives you 3.9 cubic feet more than the Explorer with the third row folded and a sizeable 6.3 cubic feet more when both the second and third rows are folded.

Another important number to those with families is "four," as in the number of LATCH anchors for child safety seats. Besting all other competitors, the Honda Pilot has an impressive three LATCH points in the second row and a fourth one in the third row. (Those of you with several small children, the 2013 Pilot is your car.) Speaking of safety, the 2013 Honda Pilot is also a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We can also tell you that the Pilot's upright greenhouse delivers great outward visibility, and the bright, well-lit cabin feels airy and spacious even when packed with people and stuff.

The 2013 Honda Pilot is the crossover you buy with the left side of your brain; it is a pragmatic choice, a reliable, known quantity. This is a vehicle that will please those who view cars as an impersonal transportation cube to get from point A to point B. Unfortunately, this is also the Pilot's key failing. JeanKnowsCars.com associate editor Annie White expresses just what we are all thinking when she says, "Should we be okay with it being an appliance?" - Donny Nordlicht

When summer arrives, America hits the road. There's something about this country that calls out to all of us, so we yearn to go and see for ourselves. Sometimes it's Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains and sometimes it's the World's Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas, and as Americans we embrace both with cheerful enthusiasm. When the weather turns warm, we're all about the road map, the road trip, and road food.

Best of all, it's no longer necessary to drive Clark Griswold's infamous Wagon Queen Family Truckster to get there, as in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). Instead we have the three-row family crossover, a miracle of packaging efficiency, thoughtful convenience, and comfortable transportation.

It's not fashionable among car people to pay tribute to the crossover, but we're smart enough to understand that Americans have figured out what you need to cross the wide-open spaces of this country on all kinds of roads and in all kinds of weather. It turns out that an all-wheel-drive utility vehicle with the easy-going personality of a family sedan is exactly what you want.

Crossovers, Automobile-style
We began with the full range of family-style crossovers, which we define as mid-size vehicles intended primarily for passenger use but also capable of weekend adventure. That includes the ability to pack a useful amount of stuff and perhaps do some light-duty towing as well.

We have chosen eight finalists that represent the best aspects of the category, whether it's packaging efficiency or simple drivability. By choosing one of them as the best, we hope not only to define the current state of the American family crossover but also the character that the people who read Automobile want in a practical, everyday kind of family vehicle.

We have specified the ability to carry three rows of passengers, and while we acknowledge that for most people this feature is useful only a limited number of times each year, it's always a consideration in the buying process. We have specified all-wheel drive because it snows in the mountains, rains in the woods, and can be muddy almost anywhere. Our selection of vehicles also includes only what is on sale today, since people are buying what's on sale today, not next fall.

Crossovers, Bracket-style
We can't pretend to be the average buyer because, well, that would be impossible. Just like you, we are who we are. If you want complete objectivity unconfused by education, enthusiasm, experience, and just plain good taste, well, good luck to you.

Also, we've again based our test on bracket-style, head-to-head comparisons between vehicles, just as we did with our comparison of mid-size sedans. We're not going to dumb down the comparison process into some kind of SAT test, where like geeks we carefully add up the points scored in a thousand little categories of performance. When you do that, you reward broad-based mediocrity, not excellence. And at Automobile, we're all about excellence.

The question of choice is personal and powerful, and we think that a one-to-one confrontation between vehicles reveals character in a way that giant test groups do not.

The Clark Griswold Factor
Every family must have a place to go, and our destination was the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan. Every May, 500,000 people make the drive to this eight-day celebration, which began in 1929 with a suggestion by a local schoolteacher to beautify this town on the shore of Lake Michigan by planting tulips in honor of the original Dutch settlers. Some 6 million tulips bloom in town each spring.

There are three parades, professional entertainment, fireworks, and dancers in wooden shoes (wear six to eight pair of socks before you try it). We stayed in the Euro-style CityFlats Hotel, looked at tulips, ate the heavy Dutch food, saw Big Red (the lighthouse at the harbor's entrance), and drove by the eighteenth-century Dutch windmill. Sadly, we missed the wooden shoe factory and the place where they do Delft dinnerware. The locals are so nice that they even shut down part of Kollen Park to let us take souvenir pictures. It was great.

Best of all, we made it a road trip. We set our own schedule, played our own music, found our own roads, and leaned out the windows and barked at the cows if we wanted to. We stopped for lunch at Bell's Brewery Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo (perfect for us, eh?). In addition, there were no airports involved at any point during our adventure, which is always a blessing.

The Road Map
Just like any road trip, it will take a while before you reach your destination.

Tomorrow and the next day, there will be head-to-head comparisons between the vehicles, with four vehicles involved each day. The day after that we'll sum up some of what we've learned during our tests, which include a rodeo-style timed test of third-seat stowage and a very messy lunch at our local Sonic drive-in. The last day, we'll stage the final head-to-head comparison and determine the winner.

You might want to start preparing the plans for your own summer vacation right now.

New For 2013

SXT models can now be optioned with the Rallye Appearance Group, which means 5 more hp than the standard V-6 model with the looks of an R/T. Crew models now have standard premium leather seating, heated first-and second-row seats, and bright door handles. The Technology Group, which includes blind-spot and rear cross-path detection monitoring, as well as adaptive cruise control, can now be added to the R/T.

Overview

The Durango was redesigned a couple years ago with new exterior styling and a surprisingly luxurious interior. Because of that top-to-bottom makeover, the Durango had few changes last year, and the story is much the same for 2013. Behind the signature cross-hair grille is Chrysler’s fuel-efficient 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission, which come standard. A 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is optional, and it brings with it a six-speed automatic. Towing capacity is rated at 6200 and 7400 pounds, respectively, for the two powertrains, and rear- or all-wheel drive is available with either engine. The Durango’s unibody construction is similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz M-class and the Jeep Grand Cherokee and is a welcome contrast to the old body-on-frame chassis that punished occupants of the previous Durango. Thanks to the underpinning swap, the Durango has surprisingly good body control. Add in nice brake-pedal feel and accurate steering, and you have a 5000-pound SUV that feels astonishingly light on its feet. The interior features three rows of seats with room for seven, but second-row captain’s chairs are also available. Outward visibility is only OK due to the high front cowl, but the Durango still successfully combines SUV capability, crossover versatility, and carlike performance.

Safety

Front, side, and side curtain air bags; traction and stability control; roll mitigation; hill-start assist; and trailer-sway control are standard. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and forward-collision warning are optional.

You'll like:

Handles well for an SUV

Capable tow vehicle

You won't like:

Has some tough competition

High front cowl compromises forward visibility

Key Competitors For The 2013 Dodge Durango

Chrysler Group sales rose 11 percent year-over-year in May, finishing the month with a total of 166,596 vehicles sold. That success was driven primarily by strong results from the Dodge and Ram brands. It is Chrysler's 38th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.

For the 2014 model year, Chrysler gave the Dodge Durango a fairly extensive refresh. Sadly, it won't matter how much the updates help Durango sales, as the Durango nameplate will be phased out in the next few years for an all-new three-row Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

Enthusiasts everywhere have a new reason to look forward to the rest of 2013: the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released its prediction that gas prices nationwide will fall $0.19 from 2012 to 2013. Though a lot can happen during the course of a year to alter gas, diesel, and natural gas prices, declining regular gas prices could seriously affect sales of everything from large SUVs like the Dodge Durango to subcompacts like the Toyota Yaris.

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Safety

Sound & Entertainment

Warranty

Vehicle

36,000 miles / 36 months

Powertrain

100,000 miles / 60 months

Corrosion

Unlimited miles / 36 months

Roadside

36,000 miles / 36 months

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:20

Component

AIR BAGS

Summary

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from April 11, 2012, through July 20, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with the incorrect airbag occupant restraint control (ORC) module.

Consequences

In the event of a side impact, rearward of the second row seat, the supplemental side air bag inflatable curtain may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC module, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 24, 2012. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Potential Units Affected

1,449

Notes

CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:21

Component

SEATS

Summary

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Durango vehicles manufactured April 27, 2012, through September 14, 2012. The vehicles may have been built with incorrect seating capacity information labels. The label might overstate the seating capacity. Therefore, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS number 110 "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequences

The vehicle may be filled over capacity which could increase injury during a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and provide replacement labels free of charge. At the owner's option, they may take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for installation of the label. The service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 18, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

Potential Units Affected

734

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:21

Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Durango vehicles manufactured April 27, 2012, through September 14, 2012. The vehicles may have been built with incorrect seating capacity information labels. The label might overstate the seating capacity. Therefore, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS number 110 "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequences

The vehicle may be filled over capacity which could increase injury during a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and provide replacement labels free of charge. At the owner's option, they may take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for installation of the label. The service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 18, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

Potential Units Affected

734

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK

Summary

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.

Consequences

If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.

Potential Units Affected

18,690

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Summary

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

Consequences

The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.

Potential Units Affected

644,354

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

SERVICE BRAKES

Summary

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

Consequences

The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.

Potential Units Affected

644,354

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Summary

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.

Consequences

If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

Potential Units Affected

651,130

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:41

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Summary

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequences

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Potential Units Affected

434,600

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.

Consequences

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. Owners were sent interim notice letters on April 20, 2015. The recall is expected will begin, and owners will receive a second notice, when parts become available in late July 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530.